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Bad boy Conor McGregor (38) is expected to finally return to UFC this summer. Max Holloway (35) is the most likely opponent for the return match.
Britain's "The Sun" recently reported, "UFC star McGregor is tentatively planning to return to the Octagon at UFC 330 in Las Vegas on July 11."
McGregor's team reportedly entered negotiations with UFC leaders earlier this month. Preliminary negotiations between the two sides were "positive," the sources said.
The media said, "For the past two weeks, the UFC has been almost silent about the Irish fighter's return. However, Ariel Helwani, a source specializing in MMA, predicted that McGregor's return would have to be a "catastrophic" event if it was to fail, and predicted that he would return.
"The master of timing and the best timing beneficiary in sports history is McGregor," Helwani said on his podcast, adding, "The meeting two weeks ago went well and I've already said it." "At this point, it is safe to see that something catastrophic has happened if he does not fight on July 11," he stressed.
"UFC needs McGregor's return more than ever now, and this player is essential to the tournament's box office card," he added.
McGregor has not stepped into the Octagon since breaking his left leg in Game 3 against Dustin Poirier five years ago. Originally, he was scheduled to play his return match against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June 2024, but he withdrew ahead of the match due to a fractured left pinky toe.
Holloway, who faced McGregor once in 2013, is emerging as a strong candidate. Holloway recently publicly called for a rematch with McGregor on his YouTube channel. Holloway, who lost to McGregor in his first showdown, is aiming to rebound after giving up the BMF title to Charles Oliveira earlier this month. "It will be quite fun to avenge him from the standpoint of returning after the defeat," he said, expressing his strong will.
Holloway even set an unconventional condition, saying, "If McGregor doesn't want to lose weight, I don't care what weight class I'm in."
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*This content was translated by AI.
